I love to carve golf
balls now and then and unlike wood, there is no grain. If your
tools are sharp the golf ball center is fairly easy to carve. This
material is very durable and the center comes in many different colors
making them great key chain rings after they are carved.

STEPS TO GETTING
STARTED:

I.
Where to obtain golf balls:

a. Buy
new balls at most major retail and pro golf shops (the expensive way
to go)

b. Buy
used balls at golf shops, sports equipment and thrift stores

(NOTE--there
are a few types of interiors for the golf balls; some balls
are rubber band wrapped and some have a rubber center. To
check you can use a V tool or a knife to cut down through the
shell. You don't want to use the balls with a rubber band
center)

II.
To remove the shell:

a. It
is a good idea to use a centerline on the ball. Ink pen or
marker works well for this. Don't use a permanent marker.
I like to leave the brand name visible so that people can tell that it
is a real golf ball. You can leave or take away as much of the
cover as you want. I usually leave 1/2 of the cover on.

b. Here
are a few ways of cutting along the centerline to remove the cover.

1.
You can use a knife or v-tool. For extra protection use a
carver's glove; be sure to grip the ball tightly. If the ball
does not feel secure in your hand, you might try using a non-slip
material found in the home department or retail stores or use
"vet wrap".

2.
Scroll saw, band saw, dremel tool, or other hand power tools may be
used to cut the centerline. Make sure you have a constant firm
hold on the ball as you turn it slowly. I like to use a fine
cutting blade. For the dremel or other hand power tools you
can use a cut-off wheel. Be sure to wear eye protection.
If you loose your grip, the ball will fly off with good speed and
probably hit you in the head.

III.
Preparing the center for carving: (All sorts of subjects can be
carved into the center. Here are hints to doing a face.

a.
Planning and drawing the face:

1.
Patterns can be found in many sources--magazines, books,
paintings. You can copy expression and muscle movement from
your own face.

2.
Find the center, place lines. If you plan to use a hat or a
beard you need to be sure to have space for these. (See Example 1)

3. I
draw the nose a bit larger to leave room for error (See Example 2)

b.
Begin to carve:

Note-- the
tools I like to use are a knife, a small V-tool and a small
gouge. V-tools and gouges are good for doing the hair and
wrinkles. I usually start with the nose and eyes but you can choose
to start in another area depending on the needs of the design.

1.
Make stop cuts for the top of the eye socket and around the
nose. Pay attention to the angle of the knife on both sides of
the nose (Example 3)

2.
Wedge-cut, removing material out of the eye socket area and from
around the nose. The deepest parts of the face, besides an
open mouth, are the eyes toward the nose and beside the nostrils.

3. Do
1 and 2 until you feel the nose is large enough and until it is deep
enough for the eyes.

4.
For the mouth, if it is a closed mouth, use your v-tool. For
an open mouth use stop cuts and for the teeth use the v-tool to make
the grooves.

5.
The cheek will begin to reveal itself when you make creases from the
side of the nose to the corner of the mouth. Place some
wrinkles out from the outer corners of the eyes. (Example 4)

6.
Using a small gouge, put a crease on the upper lip beneath the nose,
put holes in for nostrils. If you are not comfortable doing
eyes at first, you can put hair or the bill of a hat over the eyes
thus only exposing the nose and mouth. If you are unsure of
teeth then have a closed mouth. See other pattern ideas below.

IV To Use
or Display

a. Make
a key ring (add screw-eye and key ring) The center of the golf
ball can be painted but if used as a key ring the paint might get worn
off or chip off.

b. Use
the half cover that was removed for a base or a carved base with a
golf tee in it.

c. Use
a plastic ring from craft store used for egg displays to set the golf
ball on.